Dine L.A! I am a foodie and I love to experience new restaurants and different cuisines. Asia de Cuba has been on my “must try” list for many years. Finally, my friends and I had the opportunity to finally get together and try this unique restaurant. The restaurant sits at the top of the Mondrian Hotel overlooking Los Angeles. The outdoor patio has a spacious layout with vine archways and huge terra cotta planters. Next to the dining area was an outdoor pool and cabana where all the cool L.A. crowds laid out during this warm Sunday afternoon.
The dining concept was a bit of a shock to all of us because we were only allowed to choose 2 appetizers and 3 entrees as part of the “family style” eating experience. So all of us agreed to order the calamari salad and the duck lettuce tacos. Both were delicious especially the calamari salad which consisted of bananas, cashews, fried tender calamari with a citrusy vinaigrette. Absolutely divine! The duck lettuce tacos were equally as delicious especially topped with hoisin sauce!
Unfortunately, I forgot to document the main courses! Argh, I could hit myself with my camera! However, the entrees were not memorable at all! We were all very disappointed in the portion size. You see, as per Asia de Cuba’s fine print, everything is portioned accordingly. We had 5 people in our party and we expected the entrees to feed all five people. When the fried tofu course was brought out there were only two bricks of overly saturated soy sauced fried tofus with a small side of edamame salad. The fried tofus were extremely salty that none of us at the table could take more than one bite!
Then the butter fish entree was placed in front of us 5 starving girls and there were only 2 tiny pieces of butterfish to be split between all of us! Are you kidding me Asia de Cuba?? I know that this is Dine L.A. and that the rates are reduced for this special event, but c’mon! Two tiny pieces of overly salted tofu bricks and two miniscule pieces of butterfish?
Lastly the panko crusted chicken breast with chimichurri sauce…ok, the breast did cover most of the plate, but it was so thin that you could see through it! Ok, that was an exaggeration, but you get the point. Definitely not worth the $28 for lunch or shall we say “afternoon snack” or the $15 parking fee.
We were all too happy to leave and get on with our day. But before we left….a few pictures to document our day at the swanky Mondrian Hotel!
I love the name Emmaline too. It’s so unique and original. I especially love the huge flower headband that Christina’s relatives gifted to baby E. 
The gorgeous girls together! Baby E is an absolute doll! I love her with this outfit on! After the shoot, I just had to put my camera down and give Baby E a cuddle. She was so light too!
The beautiful Elmore family! 
You can see that Baby E already has daddy wrapped around her teeny tiny fingers. That’s right! You work it Emmaline!
Christina’s idea for this shoot was to get a family portrait together with all the grandkids, siblings and spouses to give to their mother Kathy and new step-father, Ron as a Christmas gift. You can see Kathy and Ron’s wedding 
Look how tiny Baby E is! I love this photo! 
The Keller family! Linda is Chris’ sister and was also in Kathy’s bridal party. In fact, the entire Keller family was in the bridal party. I also adore that Linda gave her two sons names that begin with a “K”. I’m partial to the letter “K” what can I say? Introducing Kyle (father), Kenny (eldest son) and Kolby, the stunningly handsome kid in front.
The grandkids all together!
Linda gets to babysit Emmaline quite often, I’m so jealous! I’d love to babysit Emmaline too! Thank you Christina and Chris for inviting me into your family and allowing me to capture these precious moments in your lives! 